A team of volunteer archeologists in Freehold Township found the canister shot used by the Continental Army against British troops during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778.

“Two (pieces of shrapnel) appeared to have fabric impressions on them which suggested they might have hit a uniform,” Dan Sivilich told the Asbury Park Press.

They sent the lead to Colorado for testing nine months ago. Results confirmed microscopic amounts of human blood.

Sivilich, who heads the team, believes the find is the only piece of Revolutionary War canister shot that’s ever been positively tested for human blood.

“In other words, it hit a soldier,” Sivilich said. “Based on its deformation, it did not appear to hit bone. It hit soft tissue, went through the body and obviously ended up in the ground. It could have gone through a thigh, an arm, or it could have been a belly wound.

“We don’t know if it was fatal or not.”

Based on where it was found, he believes it was fired by Pennsylvania artillery into the British 42nd Regiment.

George Washington attacked the British during the battle, which ended in a draw. The British were able to march toward New York while the Americans held the field.